Chicago Fire just made transfer moves that could shake up MLS | OneFootball

It has been eight seasons since the Chicago Fire has qualified for the MLS Playoffs. The team is on pace to potentially sneak into the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Five teams in the MLS Eastern Conference teams are at least nine points behind Chicago in the standings entering the weekend. The New England Revolution, Toronto FC, Atlanta United, CF Montreal, and D.C. United all would need a miracle to catch up to the other ten teams above them.

As of Thursday, it is between the Fire, the NY Red Bulls, and NYFC who are with two points of each other for the final two playoff spots. The eighth and ninth-best teams in the MLS Eastern Conference would still have to play in the Wild Card Round just to make the bracket.

These two additions by the Chicago Fire make them a legit contender to return to the postseason.

Curaçao v Canada - Gold Cup 2025 | Joe Buvid/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Joel Waterman

With CF Montreal being far from the current playoff picture, the team was willing to trade veteran defensive player Joel Waterman. The 29-year-old appeared in 130 games for his original MLS club since 2020.

Waterman instantly makes the Chicago Fire better. Giving up 44 goals this season, entering this weekend, ranks this team the fourth-worst defense in the MLS Eastern Conference.

Chicago gave CF Montreal $500,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), in addition to $100,000 in performance-based money. Waterman will complement Jack Elliott, Andrew Gutman, and Mauricio Pineda on the defensive line nicely.

SE Palmeiras v FC Porto: Group A - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages

Andre Franco

At 27 years old, the native of Lisbon, Portugal joins the Chicago Fire this month. The coveted midfielder will had depth to a team that already features Philip Zinckernagel.

Zinckernagel has the second-highest amount goals (11) and team lead in assists (13). Hugo Cuypers is among the top scorers in MLS with 15 goals this year.

On loan from his overseas club, Porto, Franco has scored three times in his 49 appearances. In 61 games with his first professional soccer team, Estoril, he scored 13 times.

With games against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew and NYF, the Chicago Fire can control their playoff destiny. The additions of Waterman and Franco certainly help.

The Chicago have their chance to prove that they belong in the postseason on Saturday when they travel to Pennsylvania to play the first-place Philadelphia Union. The Fire can also makeup ground when they play Toronto FC and the New England Revolution twice.